In Feast or Famine - (Egyptian Chronicles) by Mesu Andrews (Paperback)

What an emotional and deep story. This Biblical fiction was an enjoyable read and one I couldn't put down. Very vivid in the descriptions and it was well done in drawing me in to see what would happen next in Asenath's decisions. Highly recommend this book if you like Biblical fiction. Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book from WaterBrook Multnomah through NetGalley with no expectation in return. My opinion above I voluntarily give.

"Elohim meets us in our pain." This book is very different from the other biblical fiction I've read centered around Joseph. It's largely a fascinating look at Egyptian culture and its political climate during Joseph's imprisonment through his reunion with his family during the famine. Betrayal and deception lie in wait at every turn but Elohim's love and grace triumph over man's evil and scheming. I've often wondered about Asenath, how and why Joseph would have married the daughter of an Egyptian god's priest, and Joseph's confusing reaction to his brothers when they come to buy grain. Mesu Andrews weaves an enchanting and captivating story to address these wonderings and so much more. Told in Asenath's first person narrative as well as Joseph and Potiphera's third person voices, the book will draw you in from the first page and leave you pondering about God's incredible love and what true forgiveness means. This book is a flawless extension of the first novel in the series (Potiphar's Wife). I loved connecting with Potiphar, Pushpa, Ahira, and Hami from the first book; the numerous surprises in the plot kept the story moving at a fast clip. Joseph, though a follower of Elohim, is just a man trying to forget his ugly past and move on with his blessings but also weighed down by responsibilities. Asenath is a stubborn, spoiled, emotional, impulsive, manipulative child at the beginning but matures with faith and motherhood. Joseph and Asenath traverse the entire gamut of human emotions but always find their grounding in Elohim, often helping each other to do so. It was a great example of what a marriage based on faith looks like. I received the book from WaterBrook Multomah via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

This was the first book I read from this author and I just fell in love! I just put all of her books on my TBR list! I have to say I love Biblical Fiction, but I find it a marvel when it is so well done that you feel transported to the era. This story is so full of historical details of Egypt in that period of time that I felt I was there cheering for Joseph and Asenath right there! The story starts when Joseph is a slave in Egypt and the new young Pharaoh is having those strange dreams that Joseph will interpret by Elohim’s inspiration as the seven years of abundance in harvest and the consequent seven years of famine. Joseph proposes a way to solve this huge problem by gathering all the extra grain during the years of abundance so they can be distributed during the seven years of famine. The Pharaoh decides to name him his grand vizier and puts him in charge of this grand operation. But first, he’ll have to marry a pagan priestess, daughter of the High Priest of Ra, one of the pagan gods. Joseph is already in love with another woman, but he has to trust God to show him his plans, even if they are quite contrary to what he ever dreamed. Meanwhile Asenath, orphaned by mother and traumatized by her tragic death, has always lived sheltered in a tower by her manipulative father, Potiphera, along with two girls who were rescued the day her mother died and have been like sisters and only companions to her during all of her young life. Promised to marry King Apophis, she is shocked to receive the news that the Pharaoh has decreed that she marry the Hebrew vizier. Will this marriage be destined to fail? Potiphera will do anything to regain control over his his daughter and marry her to the powerful king, even if he has to do evil things to get his way. Will Joseph survive the new enemies that don’t want a Hebrew to control Egypt? I totally loved this book! The storyline was amazing! It matches perfectly well with what we know from the Bible but has a fictional story surrounding the real facts that make it all so believable and captivating! I loved Joseph and Asenath’s relationship. It was not lacking of obstacles, intrigue and rumors, but the way Joseph proved his integrity and his love to Asenath was a sight to behold! I just fell in love with Joseph! He was so honest, strong, faithful to his only God and his moral values. He was sacrificing, and he wanted the best for the Egyptians, who he makes his own people, even if they believe in other gods. The way he conquered Asenath’s love and faith was beautiful. Asenath was a strong woman too. Even if she was a bit spoiled at times, her character growth was inspiring. She matures into a woman willing to sacrifice everything for this new God she has just discovered. Even if she loses all that she has ever known. The plot has too much intrigue, which made the book captivating until the last page. Having the villains POV in the story is quite interesting and suspenseful. It’s difficult to trust anyone, and I was always suspecting of betrayal somewhere. Poor Joseph, he has to fight for what he know is God’s will! And fight he does! I don’t want to spoil the story. Just say that it was amazing, the characters so lovable, even the secondary ones, that it was hard to say goodbye when the story ends. And what an ending! This book is Biblical Fiction at its best! Can’t recommend it highly enough! I received an early copy from the Publisher but also purchased my own copy. I wasn’t required to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.